July 4

Today's Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21

There are a lot of principles that we could take away from this short chapter. But what strikes me the most is Elijah's fear that causes him to run from Jezebel. Elijah had just witnessed God do a tremendous miracle that caused the people, at least temporarily, to recognize YHWH as the one true God. Yet he is afraid of what Jezebel might do to him. There seem to be a few reasons for Elijah's fear. Foremost is that he takes his eyes off of God and instead focuses on his circumstances. And when he does that, he fears man more than he fears God.

We are prone to do the same thing in our lives. Most of the fear that paralyzes us and keeps us from doing what God wants us to do occurs when we take our eyes off God and instead direct our attention to our circumstances. Is there any fear in your life right now that is keeping you from doing what God has called you to do? Confess that today and ask God to help you focus on Him and His faithfulness.